Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 116
It is clear that before the pandemic, many people were already unable to have physical...
Recommendation
It is clear that before the pandemic, many people were already unable to have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that met their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. This was evidenced by the already-increasing demand for food banks over the past decade. The pandemic exacerbated these existing food insecurities and we have heard warnings that the situation is likely to worsen. Going to back to the pre-pandemic “normal” will not be good enough. The National Food Strategy must address national and personal food security and the Government must show clearer leadership on tackling the causes of insecurity. The Government must respond to the National Food Strategy within six months of its publication, as it has promised, including clear proposals for tackling food insecurity. This response should also set out what the immediate priorities for a Minister for Food Security should be.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government response outlines past financial support and welfare measures during the pandemic but does not address the recommendation's specific calls for a response to the National Food Strategy or setting priorities for a Minister for Food Security.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
116
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
The Government remains committed to publishing a White Paper within 6 months of publication of the National Food Strategy independent review’s final report This independent review has been commissioned to help inform the Government’s food strategy, and will include consideration of appropriate measures needed to tackle food insecurity. The final report is expected in 2021. Conclusion and Recommendation 14: The Government should amend the Agriculture Bill so that food security assessments should take place yearly, rather than every five years.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗